Things Aren't Always What They Seem
3
Hank Stanley sat at his desk reviewing the report he had just received from Headquarters. He shook his head in disbelief before leaning back in his chair. Footsteps echoed in the apparatus bay and he could tell by the sound that his second in command had arrived; and was headed to the kitchen to make coffee. He decided to join him and discuss the report before the rest of the crew arrived.
"Mornin' Mike."
"Mornin', Cap. Just put the coffee on so it'll be a few minutes," Mike said as he placed the pot on the stove and turned around leaning into the cabinet while facing his captain. Mike had worked with Hank Stanley long enough to know his early morning routine and moods; today, he needed to get something off his chest. "Something wrong?"
Hank straightened his shoulders and placed both hands on his hips. "I'm thinking there just might be, Mike." He glanced down at the table for a moment then looked back up at Mike who was patiently waiting for the explanation he knew was coming. "I got a report from HQ on the suspected arson case we had a few weeks ago. Well, the confirmed arson case I should say. Anyway," he sat down before continuing. "Turns out that the owner of the property didn't have the place torched after all."
"Are they sure?" Mike Stoker had an unusual sixth sense when it came to suspicious fires and he had felt certain this was a landlord trying to collect insurance money.
"Oh, there's no doubt, Mike….he's been dead for over two years. The county just hadn't gotten around to pursuing the taxes owed on it yet."
Mike crossed his arms as he carefully debated the other reasons why someone might deliberately burn down an old house.
"Well, Cap. Insurance fraud is the usual reason we see this kind of thing so I'm puzzled. I mean, there were no bodies so it wasn't to destroy evidence of a murder or anything. Think it was just some kids playing around or something?" Mike noticed the worried look on his superior's face.
"Well, that's always a possibility, Mike but I'm just not sure on this one. It happened awfully early in the morning for most youngsters. I guess we'll know more when the reports from the other two arrive." Hank stood up to get a mug now that the coffee had finished percolating.
"Other two? Wow, I knew the one we had last shift was similar but I didn't know there was another one." Mike picked up his own mug and poured himself a cup of coffee and passed the pot over to Hank.
"Yea, C shift a couple of weeks ago; not long after our first one." Hank blew on his coffee and watched the curl of steam waft upwards. "I just don't want any of us getting hurt on nonsense like this."
"I know what you mean."
"Well, the others should be here soon. I better get back to my office and finish up. Looks like C shift had a long night so they'll be grateful for the coffee. See ya at roll call, Mike."
"See ya, Cap."
E!
Her morning was passing by slowly; especially for an emergency room in a large urban area. Elaine had assisted with stitches when a young woman had lost the battle to bathe her Siamese cat, restocked all the treatment rooms and had helped to calm down an expectant father whose wife was brought in by ambulance in labor. She also couldn't help but notice the blush that set her face glowing when she saw which paramedic had brought the woman in. She watched, with a sense of melancholy as the young man walked beside the gurney of his laboring wife. He so lovingly held her hand in support as they entered the elevator on their way to Labor & Delivery. Lucky woman…..and lucky kid. While she longed to experience the joys of motherhood she was also somewhat fearful that it might never happen. Even so, she was still thankful that her relationship with Oto had not resulted in a pregnancy.
"Mornin'"
Elaine nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of a male voice so close behind her. She spun around to see John Gage rocking on his heels.
"Oh, ah…Lainie, gee I'm sorry. I mean, I didn't mean to scare you like that."
She regained her composure and felt the color return to her cheeks. She gave him an embarrassed smile before offering an apologetic shake of her head. "Um, how's your arm?"
John lifted up his left forearm to reveal a large adhesive bandage covering the nearly healed site. "Almost good as new…thanks to some expert nursing care."
"I'll be sure and let Ms. McCall know that." She flashed a quick smile, surprised at her own wittiness.
"Naw, Dixie just got the process started…..you finished the job." He said with a quick wink and grin.
She felt the heat of her blush and had to look away. Johnny was intrigued by her reaction and then noted the time on the wall clock.
"Say, uh, I know it's kinda early for lunch but how about we get a cup of coffee in the staff lounge?"
"I, uh, I don't know…. I" She was stammering while her heart pounded inside her chest from the surprisingly nice young man who was now standing before her.
Dixie was walking down the hallway and was just close enough to overhear part of the conversation. She never missed a beat as she walked past them and said matter of factly, "Roy isn't here yet so why don't you two grab some fresh coffee…just made it myself." Dixie looked slyly at the two of them and nodded in the direction of the lounge. "It's quiet and you haven't taken a break yet, Elaine."
Johnny's face broke out in one of the biggest smiles Dixie had ever seen.
"Now, both of you…..scoot!" She waved them off with a swat of her hand and returned to her perch on the stool behind the nurse's station. "I'll direct Roy in there when he arrives."
"Thanks, Dix." Johnny yelled as he opened the lounge door for Elaine.
Dixie just shook her head and smiled as Dr. Brackett walked up to the desk.
"What's got you so cheery this morning?"
"Oh, just a couple of young folks with some definite chemistry, Kel." She mused staring at the closing lounge door…and secretly wishing she could be a fly on the wall in that room right about now.
"Hey Roy," Dr. Brackett said diverting Dixie's gaze away from the lounge door. "Johnny just stepped into the lounge for a ..…."
"For a break and you are NOT to disturb him for at least," Dixie hesitated looking at her watch before continuing, "oh say 12 minutes or so." The sparkle in her eyes gave her away.
"Uh-oh, what's he up to now?"
"Roy," Kel began in a sarcastic tone of voice, "what makes you think he's up to something?" He accentuated his question with an amicable slap on Roy's back.
"Because he's breathing, Doc."
The trio erupted in laughter and continued on with light conversation; each taking a turn glancing in the direction of the lounge door for the next few minutes.
